October 11, 2013

On the road again today.  We left Tillamook OR, stopped through Salem, the Capital and ended up in Bend.  Weather today was much more pleasant after we got a few miles away from the coastline.

The temps have been cooler for a bit and the trees are finally beginning to change.  We know that for you Mainers out there, this doesn't look all that great but for us, we have been waiting to see some color.

This is actually a National Government site that was right next to the road, so we really couldn't be stopped from looking.  Canada Geese and many more than what the picture shows.

Oregon became a state in 1859.  The Capitol building burned in 1935 and the new one was finished 3 years later.  It is more simple in style on the inside.

The current Governor's portrait is certainly a step outside the box.  He was first elected in 1995 for 2 terms, was termed out and reelected in 2010.  Prior to becoming a governor, John Kitzhaber was a practicing physician.

This is the site where Oregon's first provisional government was formed by a historical vote in 1843.  The area in now a state historic park.  This painting is on the front wall of the state's house chamber.
Today, when a bill comes up for a vote, everyone has one minute to vote and it has to be a yea or nay.  There is no provision for abstention.

The Capitol Dome

This is a view of one of the buildings across the street.  It is on the Willamette University campus.

Tom treated Alice to lunch.  When is the last time you enjoyed a roll?

This Elm tree brought back memories for Tom.  At the age of 6, he fell out of a tree like this one that was on the front lawn of the house on Main street.  Mom was pregnant with J. Edward at the time. You know how kids are...3 days later Doc Herring had to break it and reset it.

Fill er up.

Leaving Salem, we enjoyed a nice ride to Bend.  Along the way, we drove further south than Newport, ME., and we went from about 300 feet in altitude to almost 4900 feet before we settled back to the high plains area around 3500 feet.  More coloring in the leaves.

Mount Washington, west of Bend.

The beginning of the high plains ares with a few trees still around.  Not many shrubs.

A different view of Mount Washington, 7794 feet.

These 3 mountains are called the Sisters.  They are all just oven 10,000 feet.

The Middle Sister and the North Sister.

While Tom was taking these pictures, he met a woman that used to live in Portland.  She used to work at B&M Baked Beans.  Wonderful day, wonderful ride.